Luca Castellani, the Brazilian-born actor, has recently achieved U.S. citizenship, a milestone he describes as both fulfilling and complex. Following the completion of the short film “America,” Castellani shared his thoughts during a discussion with director Aly Muritiba at a screening event on October 24, 2025, as part of the Variety Screening Series.
During the conversation, Castellani expressed the bittersweet nature of his newfound citizenship, stating, “I look back and I don’t recognize the country I’ve been fighting for and I desired to live in.” This sentiment reflects the emotional landscape many immigrants navigate, especially in the current political climate. The film “America” tackles the tense encounter between a Brazilian immigrant, played by Castellani, and an ICE officer, which disrupts a budding romance with an aspiring writer portrayed by Cheyenne Jackson.
The project, shot in only four days, includes impactful scenes filmed at a real No Kings protest. Castellani emphasized the significance of the story, saying, “I just feel humbled to be able to tell a story that will resonate with so many and, in some ways, can help me protect my community.” His journey to citizenship has spanned nearly a decade, beginning when he immigrated to the United States from Brazil at the age of 17.
Aly Muritiba, a prominent filmmaker in Brazil known for projects like the HBO series “City of God: The Fight Rages On,” highlighted the social importance of the film. “In all of my career, I have made films about social subjects,” he remarked. “This is why I decided to write this script about immigration.”
The filmmakers also discussed lessons the United States could learn from Brazil’s history. Muritiba noted, “In Brazil, we had this fascist government a couple of years ago after the election. This guy tried to make a coup d’état, and now he’s going to jail because our justice system is working. So now Brazil is the biggest democracy in the Americas, and I’m so proud of it.”
Both Castellani and Muritiba acknowledged the challenges faced by immigrants pursuing the American dream, with Castellani stating, “I feel safe now and I’m very proud to be in America and to fight for this country like everybody else.” This duality of gratitude and concern encapsulates the immigrant experience that “America” seeks to highlight.
As Castellani puts it, “What I want the movie to show everybody is that we must protect each other and put our differences aside.” He believes that love is at the core of human connection, stating, “It seems like our system is so broken that it won’t let us do the one thing that everybody needs, which is love.”
Muritiba succinctly summarized the film’s essence, saying, “This movie is about empathy. It’s a love story in this tough period of time.” By addressing the harsh realities of immigration and politics, “America” aims to explore these themes through a lens of human connection, emphasizing that empathy and love can still prevail.
As the film gains attention on the festival circuit, Castellani and Muritiba hope it will resonate with audiences and contribute to meaningful conversations about immigration and identity in contemporary society.
